COMMUNITY STORIES: KENISHA NANDA
While Cary and its beauty have definitely impacted my growth and character as an individual, I would say my family has played a significant role in my entrepreneurial pursuits.
They know the value of art and how dedicated I am to expanding this business. Cary overall provided me with various opportunities to present my jewelry at local pop-up shops and in-store events, and a supportive community is an absolute necessity when beginning a business from the nook of your home.
The school has opportunities in academics, clubs, research initiatives, involvement in community service, and public health programs. More specifically, as a pre-nutrition major on the pre-medical track, I am drawn to medicine because I always wanted to dedicate myself to a career where I can serve my community daily. That is one of the core reasons why KN Designs donates 20% of profits to charities such as the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Magical Moments Foundation, because I want every individual to have access to the same opportunities I have.
UNC has inspired me and my jewelry in various unique ways, as some of the jewelry I enjoy designing the most includes jewels for game days. The environment at UNC is very uplifting, and Chapel Hill’s warmth has embraced my business in the most welcoming way.
I began KN Designs in May 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 quarantine period. I found it to be the perfect opportunity for me to pursue my passion and explore my artistic capabilities.
I love having a packed schedule. When the pandemic struck, I was pulled out of all my extracurricular activities, and I was stranded with loads of time. I had always loved drawing designs of jewelry on paper, such as strands of fine gold chain, a whimsical selection of beads, and I thought it was the perfect time to make them come to life.
It significantly improves each future interaction with a customer. When customers reach out to me with concerns, I always make sure to respond promptly while offering them several solutions to resolve the issue. Things can break, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fixed.
They range from Cary to Morrisville and Durham, but one of my most memorable events would be my first-ever pop-up shop. Although the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines remained in effect, my first pop-up was a chance for my closest friends and family to see what I had been working on over quarantine. This event was a huge success for me and truly launched my career as an entrepreneur.
Just recently, I crafted this beautiful pearl necklace for a trip to Miami, as I imagined the sand under my toes and the sun shining on my face as I designed and created it. I want my jewelry to represent something about someone you love, something you are looking forward to, or something inspiring.
It is needed to when juggling entrepreneurial and academic endeavors together. For this, I enjoy journaling and creating a highly precise plan on a weekly basis to achieve all I have in mind.
I am one step closer to that with the support of Student-Made UNC, as this community has encouraged me to share my art on various occasions at UNC.
While devising new strategies for advertising and marketing, I am also focusing on crafting finer pieces of jewelry to elevate KN Designs to the next level. All of this is possible due to the support I have received from my family, friends, community members, and social media audience, and I am grateful to have such a platform.
